MELBETA ROBBERY SUSPECT ARRESTED

Posted 9 months ago

By John Axtell

The Rapid City man suspected of robbing a convenience store in Melbeta, then stealing a pickup is in custody. 35-year old Travis Leier was arrested Wednesday afternoon in northern Scottsbluff by a combination of city police officers and county sheriff’s deputies.

Leier is being held without bail at the Scotts Bluff County Detention Center whill awaiting his initial appearance in county court.

Scotts Bluff County Sheriff Mark Overman credits a tip from a citizen with the arrest. Overman says the citizen said they saw Leier at a Scottsbluff business, but when police officers responded he fled on foot.

Authorities cordoned off the area and began a search…eventually finding Leier hiding under a vehicle. He surrendered without incident.

Leier is accused of robbing the Melbeta All-Around Monday afternoon, leaving with an undisclosed number of items but no cash after threatening the clerk with a pair of pliers he used to unsuccessfully try to open the till.

He’s also accused of stealing a pickup for a nearby residence, leaving it at a residence on the south edge of Bridgeport where it was found Tuesday.